The Ministry of Tourism, wildlife, and Antiquities in conjunction with the Swedish international development cooperation Agency(SIDA) and World Bank(WB) has funded hands-on vocational training and awarded certificates and artisan equipment to over 80 youth in western Uganda.

This was during the graduation ceremony at Seyaya Hotel in Kagadi district which saw students from Kasese, Rubirizi, Kamwenge, Kabarole, Bundibugyo Ntoroko, Kiryandongo, Hoima, Masindi, and greater Kibaale graduate in bricklaying and concrete practice, phone repair, sculpturing, tailoring, welding and metal fabrication and motor vehicle repairs.

The colorful graduation ceremony comprised of the female and male youth from three protected areas of Murchison falls conservation area, Queen Elizabeth national park, and Toro Semulik conservation area was officiated by the assistant commissioner Ministry of Tourism, wildlife and Antiquities Ocen Morris who represented the Minister for Tourism and wildlife Rtd. Col. Tom Butime at Seyeya Courts Hotel in Kagadi district.

Morris challenged the jubilant graduates who received certificates and an assortment of tools in bricklaying and concrete practice, phone repair, sculpturing, tailoring, welding and metal fabrication, and motor vehicle repairs worth over sh100m to use the tools donated to them into proper use to create jobs for themselves and generate more income to fight poverty as well as conserving wildlife.

The Executive director of Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) John-Samuel -Mwandha noted that the project dubbed Investing in Forests and protected areas for climate-smart Development is aimed at improving the sustainable management of nature and building the capacity of the youth within areas affected by Human-wild-life conflicts asked the youth to preserve nature.

The graduates from Kasese, Rubirizi, Kamwenge, Kabarole, Bundibugyo Ntoroko, Kiryandongo, Hoima, Masindi, and greater Kibaale who were trained for four months included people with disabilities aged between 18-30 years.

They have thanked the Ministry of Tourism and Uganda wildlife authority and the Swedish international agency for sponsoring their training and donation of artisan tools which they said would help them to improve their livelihood.

The function was graced by Uganda wild authority(UWA) staff, Ministry of Water & Environment,  National forestry authority(NFA), National environment management authority(NEMA) staff, and Kagadi district leaders led by Deputy RDC Kagadi Benjamin Tumusiime and LC5 Chairman Ndibwami Bahunga Yosia.